Puzzle Kit and Method of Playing a Puzzle Game

ABSTRACT

Provided is a puzzle kit and related method comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces configured for assembly to form a first image, the first image comprising a revealable region, the revealable region configured to reveal a second image when modified, the second image comprising an indicia, and an information source configured to provide information or instruction corresponding to the indicia revealed in the second image. Also provided is a puzzle kit and related method comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces configured for assembly to form a first image, the first image comprising a revealable region, the revealable region configured to reveal a second image when modified, an indicator on the revealable region, and an information source configured to provide information or instruction corresponding to the indicator found on the revealable region.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Jigsaw puzzles with revealable regions.

BACKGROUND

The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed inthem is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in theart.

Jigsaw puzzles are typically made of interlocking cardboard pieces thatare assembled to form a complete image. Once assembled, jigsaw puzzlesmay have limited function as decoration, or be disassembled forreassembly. Such puzzles do not offer an element of surprise whencompleted as the image is typically revealed on the packaging itself.Furthermore, there is rarely an educational component to the jigsawpuzzle, beyond any information printed directly on the image. Finally,being static images, typical jigsaw puzzles lack the ability todemonstrate changes over time.

SUMMARY

What is provided is a puzzle kit in which the puzzle pieces areassembled to form a first image with at least one revealable regionwhich conceals a second image to be revealed by the revealable region.The revealable region may consist of a scratch-off material where it maybe modified through scratching, or it may consist of a sticker removablethrough peeling. The revealable region may also consist of an area thathas been chemically treated to change appearance when a liquid such aswater or special marker is applied to the area, or under specificlighting, temperature or pressure conditions. When revealed, the secondimage may contain an indicia which may be matched with an informationsource to provide further information corresponding to the indicia foundon the second image. The indicia may be a part of the second image orthe entirety of the second image itself. With the information beingprovided on a separate information source, there may be an educationalaspect to the puzzle kit, while the image assembled from puzzle piecesremains primarily a visual image without the distraction of text beingprinted directly on the image. The information source may be physicalprint, an audio player, or a software application. Furthermore, therevealable regions add an element of surprise to the kit, by allowingthe user to manually reveal information or imagery not present when thepuzzle is first assembled. When fully revealed, the completed image mayappear completely different from the image when first assembled, meaningthat elements normally revealed by the packaging of standard jigsawpuzzles are hidden until fully revealed.

Also provided is a method of playing with the puzzle kit describedabove, involving the steps of assembling a plurality of puzzle pieces toform a first image having at least one revealable region, modifying therevealable region to reveal a second image having an indicia; andmatching the indicia to an information source containing information orinstruction corresponding to the indicia, and optionally takingadditional steps based on the instruction provided, such as modifyingadditional revealable regions based on a sequence provided by theinformation source.

In another aspect, indicators are provided on top of at least onerevealable region which may be used to correlate to an informationsource to provide further information on the object, or instruction asto the order or method in which to modify any remaining revealableregions. A related method of playing a puzzle game having a revealableregion with an indicator thereon is also provided.

These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in theclaims, which are incorporated here by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, inwhich like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a completed puzzle of a map showing a firstimage with revealable regions, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a completed puzzle with revealable regionsmodified to reveal second images containing landmarks, according to theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the information source for use with theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of one screen of a software application beingdisplayed on a user device, as the information source for use with theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of another screen of a software application beingdisplayed on a user device, as the information source for use with theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an audio player as the information source foruse with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a completed puzzle of a map, with a pluralityof revealable regions intact, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the completed puzzle in accordance with the mapof FIG. 6, with the revealable regions modified to reveal second imagescontaining a plurality of indicia.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an information source providing informationcorresponding to the indicia found in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a completed puzzle of a map, with a pluralityof revealable regions having indicators marked thereon, in accordancewith another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a completed puzzle showing a first image of acity with revealable regions covering various buildings, in accordancewith another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the completed puzzle of FIG. 10, with therevealable regions modified to show the various buildings hidden in thefirst image.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the information source for providinginformation corresponding to the buildings found in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a completed puzzle where the entirety of thefirst image is covered by a revealable region, in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the completed puzzle of FIG. 13, wheredifferent portions of the revealable region have been modified.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the information source for providing clues tofind the hidden object, based on the indicia found in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a completed puzzle of a black and white imagewherein the image is covered by a revealable region with indicators,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the completed puzzle of FIG. 16, where therevealable region has been modified to reveal a fully colored version ofthe black and white image.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of an information source for providing directionto modify the revealable regions within FIG. 16, based on thecorresponding indicators found in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a close up plan view of puzzle pieces with revealable regionsintact.

FIG. 20 is a close up plan view of puzzle pieces with revealable regionsmodified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described herewithout departing from what is covered by the claims.

Provided is a puzzle kit having a plurality of puzzle pieces which maybe assembled to form a first image. The puzzle pieces may be formed ofcardboard, foam or other materials used in jigsaw puzzles. On the firstimage are various revealable regions that reveal secondary images whenmodified. During manufacturing, an image is first printed onto acardboard or foam material. This printed image comprises a combinationof an image which is viewable by the user upon completion of the puzzle(i.e., a first image), as well as at least one hidden image that isinitially covered by a revealable region (i.e., a second image). Therevealable region covering the second image may then be created throughprinting of a scratch-off surface directly onto the puzzle, or through aseparate piece of scratchable material or sticker which is bonded to thepuzzle. Alternatively, the revealable region may also be applied throughchemical treatment, such that the region changes appearance undercertain circumstances, such as when a liquid such as water or a specialmarker is applied to the area (for example, when printed using invisibleor security ink), or under certain pressure, temperature or lightingconditions through application of a glow in the dark material.Preferably, for ease of manufacturing, the application of the revealableregion to the puzzle occurs before the puzzle is die-cut into pieces, asotherwise the revealable region may also need to be cut separately. Aclose-up of puzzle pieces 220 and 222 having a revealable region 224 isshown in FIG. 19, and a close-up of the same puzzle pieces 220 and 222with the revealable region modified to reveal a second image 234 isshown in FIG. 20. Furthermore, the revealable region need not be limitedto a small area within the first image, but may comprise a substantialpart of or the entirety of the first image. Where the revealable regioncovers a substantial portion of the first image, a scratchable orchemically treated region may be preferable over the use of a stickerdue to the increased complexity for the user in having to remove asticker over an entire jigsaw puzzle and around the interlockingregions. However, using stickers or chemically treated regions mayprovide the ability to reset the revealable regions after use. A puzzlemay have combinations of scratchable regions, removable stickers,chemically treated regions, or other type of revealable region withinthe same puzzle, or may have only one format of revealable region withinthe puzzle. Furthermore, an additional indicator may be printed directlyonto the revealable regions, for aesthetic purposes or to provideadditional direction (for example, to direct a sequence for modifyingthe revealable regions). The revealable regions can be provided invarious shapes and sizes on the pieces of the puzzle. The revealableregions may cover the entirety of or a portion of certain puzzle pieces,or may cover parts and/or the whole of multiple puzzle pieces.

The secondary images revealed by modifying the revealable regions maycontain indicia which can then be matched with the corresponding indiciaprovided on an information source. The indicia may include any itemswhich can be uniquely identified by a user as being associated with theinformation source, such as, for example, a number, letter, symbol, alandmark, or an image, such as an image of an object or a fictional ornon-fictional character. The indicia may also be only a part of thesecond image, or the entirety of the second image itself. Once theindicia from the secondary images have been matched with the indiciafrom the information source, additional content from the informationsource is available to the user. It is through this combination of arevealable region with an information source that additional layers ofsurprise, education and interactivity is provided to the user, beyondwhat typical jigsaw puzzles are able to provide.

The information source may be any medium that is capable of displayingrecorded information to a user. The information source may comprise aphysical sheet or card with printed text which may be provided in anyformat or size, or may be an electronic device such as an audio playerwith pre-recorded audio information linked to the indicia found in thesecondary image(s). The information source may also be provided on asoftware application for use on a user device (e.g., a computer,smartphone or tablet) through physical media such as a CD or USB drive,or provided electronically, such as through a link to a web address fordownload. The software may be programmed to reveal information based onuser input corresponding to the data from the secondary images. Forexample, the software application may work with a portable user device(e.g., a smartphone) to have the camera of the device scan the indiciarevealed by the revealable region to send a signal to the processingunit of the device, which then displays the information (which may be inthe form of written or audio/visual information) on the screen of theportable user device. The software may be programmed to recognizevarious specific forms of indicia such as alphanumeric characters,shapes, symbols, or a QR™ code. Alternatively, for devices without acamera, the software may simply employ use of on-screen buttons(pressable using touchscreen or an input such as mouse or keyboard) thatcorrelate to the indicia found in the second images. A softwareapplication would also be able to provide functionality not availablethrough an audio player or a physical card, such as direct access toInternet links with more detailed descriptions relating to each of thesubject matter revealed in the completed puzzle. Information providedelectronically may also be updated periodically. The information sourcemay also be printed directly on and formed as part of the second imageor the first image (e.g., as part of a legend), although in some casesthis may detract from the overall aesthetics of the completed puzzle.The information source may also be a physical object representing orcorresponding to the indicia which has printed information on it.

The combination of a revealable region revealing indicia that is used tocorrespond to an indicia within an information source has a number ofadvantages and applications not present in existing puzzle kits. Thefollowing are a few specific examples of these applications.

As an example, shown in FIG. 1 is a completed puzzle with a map withrevealable regions concealing landmarks located throughout the map. Whencompleted, the puzzle pieces form a first image 30 of a geographicalmap. On the geographical map are revealable regions 24, 26 and 28 inFIG. 1, which when modified, reveal secondary images containing indicia34, 36, and 38 as shown in FIG. 2, in the form of landmarks that arelocated in the real-life geographical regions shown on the map. In thisparticular example, the indicia comprise the entirety of the secondimages, although in other embodiments, the indicia only comprise aportion of the second images. The user may then correlate the indicia34, 36, and 38 with the corresponding indicia 44, 46 and 48 on theinformation source 40 found in FIG. 3 to learn more about each landmarkthrough descriptions 54, 56, 58. Note that the indicia used is notlimited to landmarks, but may be objects such as symbols, numbers orother markings located in close proximity to the landmarks. Thecombination of the puzzle, revealable region and the information sourceprovide the user with not only satisfaction in completing the jigsawpuzzle, but also education about the locations and landmarks on the map.

In use, once the jigsaw puzzle has been assembled, the user may thenmodify the revealable regions 24, 26 and 28 one by one to reveal each ofthe landmarks. After each landmark is revealed, the user may refer tothe information source for more information about each landmark. Thismay be done in chronological order of time of events, or dates ofbuildings built, which may be directed by the information source asshown in FIG. 3, which may have dates corresponding to each landmark.Optionally, the information source may have its own revealable regionswhich hide the landmarks until modified by the user, and accordinglyforces the user to guess or research before modifying and revealing thelandmark on the puzzle map that matches each description. Optionally,all of the revealable regions 24, 26 and 28 may be the same shape andsize, so as to not provide hints as to the landmarks being concealed.Alternatively, in a simpler method of play, the information source willnot have revealable regions and all of the information related to eachlandmark will already be revealed on the apparatus, which serves as aneducational tool on its own, as shown in FIG. 3. If using a softwareapplication as the information source, the application may allow theuser to interact with the screen by touching on-screen buttons thatcorrespond to the indicia or landmark, and which will present furtherinformation relating to the landmarks. Provided in FIGS. 4A and 4B areexamples of images of a software application as they appear on a userdevice 11. FIG. 4A is an exemplary image of the initial screen for theapplication, with on-screen buttons 64, 66, 68 which correspond to theindicia 34, 36, 38, respectively, found in the puzzle in FIG. 2. FIG. 4Bis an image of a second screen with additional information when one oftouchscreen regions 64, 66, 68 are pressed. In this particular figure, adescription 54 of the landmark corresponding to indicia 34 (andtouchscreen region 64) is provided. In a variation of this embodiment asshown in FIG. 5, where the information source is an audio player 70,there may be buttons 74, 76, 78 corresponding to each landmark revealed,which upon being pressed will playback an audio recording withinformation relating to the associated landmark.

In another embodiment, instead of hidden landmarks, the revealableregions may be used to conceal the location of specific events inhistory, for example battles in World War II, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.As shown in FIG. 6, the assembled first image 102 is one of a map ofEurope during World War II, and the revealable regions 104, 106 and 108cover locations where battles had taken place during the war. When fullymodified, as provided in FIG. 7, an image of Europe with indicia 114,116 and 118 relating to some of the major battles during World War IIare revealed. The user may then refer to an information source 120 andthe descriptions 124, 126 and 128 in FIG. 8 to learn further informationrelating to the battles that took place corresponding to each of theindicia 114, 116 and 118 revealed through the revealable regions 104,106 and 108, respectively, on the jigsaw puzzle. Through this activity,the user first learns about geography through assembly of the jigsawpuzzle, and then learns about specific battles through the process ofmodifying each revealable region and matching indicia of the battleswith the information provided on the information source 120. Theinformation source 41 as shown in FIG. 8 is a printed card.

Alternatively, in a variation of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9,indicators 134, 136 and 138 may be printed on top of the revealableregions 144, 146 and 148, which may be used indicate movement of troopsor order of battle. The combination of indicators and the informationsource may direct the user to scratch the revealable regions in order,so as to lead the user through the different battles during the courseof a war. This embodiment allows the user to experience and learn abouthistory and changes over time through jigsaw puzzles, which is normallyconsidered a static medium. As demonstrated in the figures, the indiciarevealed by modifying the revealable regions in this embodiment may besymbols or objects (such as tanks and other war machines).

In yet another embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 10, the puzzlepieces, when assembled, form a first image 152 of a city, such as NewYork. On the first image are various revealable regions 154, 156, 158covering different landmarks within the city. As shown in FIG. 11, therevealable regions 154, 156, 158 may be modified to reveal indicia inthe form of the various buildings 164, 166 and 168 that were built atdifferent times in history. The information source 170 in FIG. 12 thenprovides descriptions 174, 176 and 178 of each of the buildings 164,166, and 168, respectively, and their significance to the period andtime they were built in which they represent to provide an educationalcomponent to the puzzle kit. Optionally, the information source maydirect that the regions be modified in order of time that the buildingswere built. Furthermore, a trivia element may be added by includingrevealable regions in the information source which mask the identity ofthe buildings. The user may then guess, based on the descriptionprovided, what building is covered by each revealable region.

In an alternative version of this embodiment, the revealable regions mayhave specific designs such that they blend into the first image. Forexample, the revealable regions may be colored such that they appear aspart of background of the first image (e.g., the color of the sky).Until the revealable regions are modified, the first image resembles acity as of an early date. As each of the revealable regions aremodified, additional buildings are revealed over time. Similar to theembodiments described above, the information source may providedirection as to the order in which to modify the revealable regions soas to give the user a developmental history of the city over time. Wherethe revealable regions blend into the background, in this or otherembodiments, the information source may provide direction as to thelocation of the revealable regions.

The same concept of changes over time may be applied to otherembodiments, for example, ones involving a map, where the first imagepresents a map of a region as of one point in time. Almost the entirefirst image of the puzzle can be made modifiable, and when fullymodified, a second image showing the same region as of another point inhistory is revealed, with information relating to each of the regionsbeing presented through an information source. Through this process, theuser is able to learn about both geography as well as history at thesame time. The same embodiment may be used with not only real lifegeographical regions, but also fictional regions such as those presentedin fictional stories, such as films or fantasy novels.

The provided puzzle kit is not limited to historical or educationaluses. The use of revealable regions and an information source may alsobe used to add an element of surprise or mystery.

In another embodiment, a “find the object” type of game may be playedusing the disclosed puzzle kit. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13to 15 a significant portion if not all of a first image 182 is coveredby a revealable region. As shown in FIG. 15, the user may follow clues184, 186 and 188 provided by an information source 190 to first findeach indicia 194, 196, and 198, which will eventually lead to finding ahidden object 200 in the revealable region within the first image 182.The revealed secondary image may provide further clues in the form ofindicia which the user then uses to reveal further clues on theinformation source. This method of play is particularly suited to ajigsaw puzzle format, as the user may become familiar with the detailsof the image (e.g., where a landmark is located, or where a particulartype of person is) through building the jigsaw puzzle, and then be ableto use that familiarity and recollection when reading and interpretingthe clues on the information source 190 to ultimately find the hiddenobject 200.

In a similar embodiment, a mystery puzzle kit is provided where theinformation source provides fictional information or clues to solving apuzzle. The jigsaw puzzle pieces may be assembled to form a first imageof a crime scene with revealable regions each hiding an indicia such asa particular event, action or figure. When revealed, each indicia isthen matched with the indicia on the information source which provides aclue to solving the mystery (for example, the identity of a murdersuspect). In this play mode, one of the goals may be to correctlyidentify the suspect based on the clues provided before all clues havebeen revealed on the jigsaw puzzle. This embodiment may also allow formulti-player cooperation as each of the users take turns modifying therevealable regions and receiving clues to solve the mystery.

In embodiments where clues are used to reveal a solution to a puzzle,there may be additional incorrect solution objects that are revealedwhen a user incorrectly makes a wrong guess about the solution. Forexample, if the user makes an incorrect guess at a solution and modifiesa corresponding revealable region, an object may be revealed thatindicates either that the user has lost the game, or that the user madean error and should try again.

Also provided is a method of playing a puzzle game using the puzzle kitsprovided and described above, where a user assembles a plurality ofpuzzle pieces to form a first image with at least one revealable region.The revealable region is then modified to reveal a second imagecontaining an indicia. The indicia may then be used to match the indiciafound on an information source, such as a physical object, an audioplayer or a software application which provides additional informationor instruction corresponding to the unique indicia.

In yet another embodiment, an indicator may be printed on top of therevealable regions themselves. Similar to the indicia the indicator mayinclude any items which can be uniquely identified by a user as beingassociated with the information source, such as, for example, a number,letter, symbol, a landmark, or an image, such as an image of an objector a fictional or non-fictional character. The indicator may be usedwith the information source to provide the user with instructions as tothe order or method in which to modify the revealable regions, forexample objects vs background, or outline vs the entirety of the object,or the direction in which to modify the revealable region. This may beused in, for example, the mystery puzzle kit described above, where itmay be important to have a correct sequence for scratching and revealingclues. However, unlike the indicia, the indicator will be apparent tothe user prior to the modification of the revealable region.

The use of an indicator on top of the revealable region may also form aninstructional art kit. As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, theentirety of a first image 202 may be a revealable region printed as ablack and white sketch with indicators on different parts of the sketch.An information source 210 found in FIG. 18, using instructions 214, 216and 218, directs the order of modifying parts of the revealable regionbased on indicators in the form of objects 204, 206 and 208respectively, and when the first image 202 is fully modified (e.g.,scratched or removed or when liquid is applied), a colored second image212, as found in FIG. 17 is revealed. This type of puzzle would allowthe user to have the effect of coloring by scratching off or otherwisemodifying each revealable region, without being concerned about coloringover the lines. The indicators, combined with the information source mayprovide artistic direction by instructing the user as to which objectsto “color” first. In another example, through various indicators, a usermay be directed by the information source to modify the revealableregions in a specific order, for example to first modify regions havinga subject indicator such as a fictional or non-fictional character or alandmark, followed by instructions to modify the revealable regionhaving a background indicator. In this example, the background indicatormay differ significantly from the actual background revealed in thesecond image, allowing the user to completely change the background ofthe puzzle by modifying the revealable region covering the background.

Where the revealable regions of a puzzle kit are scratchable, thescratchable region need not be uniformly scratchable, and may bemanufactured to only cover portions or an outline of an object. Also,where the revealable regions are scratchable, the puzzle kit may alsoinclude a scratching apparatus which resembles a tool such as a crayon,pencil or paintbrush, to give the user an experience similar to coloringor drawing. In accordance instructions provided by an informationsource, the user may scratch along the outline of an object to first“draw” the object, and then scratch the center of the object to “color”the object.

The indicator on top of the revealable regions may also be used inanother embodiment where a narrative is provided on the informationsource. For example, the information source may provide a story in whicheach paragraph of the story ends with instruction as to which part ofthe puzzle to reveal based on a series of indicators which are printedon top of the revealable regions. For example, after a fictionalcharacter is introduced in the story, the information source may includean indicator to direct the user to scratch the region having the sameindicator on the completed puzzle, which would reveal the hiddencharacter in the second image. This can be done repeatedly as the usergoes through the story, and at the end, a completed image showing all ofthe characters of the story is provided.

Indicators to dictate a sequence may also be used as part of aconnect-the-dot system to add an additional layer of interactivity forthe user.

Alternatively, the information source may refer to a series of actionsor fictional events that occur to change the first image into the secondimage. For example, the first image may be of a present-day city,whereby through a series of fictional events as provided on theinformation source (which through indicia direct the user to scratchvarious parts of the city), the second image reveals a past, future orfictional version of the same city.

Similarly, a related method of playing a puzzle game is provided, wherea user assembles a plurality of puzzle pieces to form a first image withat least one revealable region having an indicator thereon. Therevealable region is then modified to reveal a second image inaccordance with instructions or information from an information sourcebased on the indicator on the reveable region. As described above, theinformation source may direct any method or sequence in modifying therevealable region, such as the order or method in which to modify therevealable region, for example objects vs background, or outline andthen the entirety of the object, or the general direction ofmodification of the revealable region.

Other variations on the methods described may be made without departurefrom the scope of the claims. For example, game play can also be furtherenhanced with the use of game cards, dice, or electronic app functionswhich are used to correspond to the indicia revealed by the revealableregions.

In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense anddoes not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles“a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of thefeature being present. Each one of the individual features describedhere may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue onlyof being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodimentsas defined by the claims.

1. A puzzle kit comprising: a plurality of puzzle pieces configured forassembly to form a first image, the first image comprising a firstaesthetic design and at least one revealable region within the firstaesthetic design, the at least one revealable region configured toreveal a second image when modified, the second image comprising asecond aesthetic design and an indicia; and an information source forproviding at least one of information and instruction corresponding tothe indicia revealed in the second image.
 2. A puzzle kit according toclaim 1, wherein the information source comprises a physical sheet.
 3. Apuzzle kit according to claim 2, wherein the physical sheet furthercomprises a plurality of removable areas concealing at least one of arepresentation of the indicia and the information corresponding to theindicia.
 4. A puzzle kit according to claim 1, wherein the informationsource comprises an audio player.
 5. A puzzle kit according to claim 4,further comprising a plurality of revealable regions, each revealableregion configured to reveal one of a plurality of corresponding secondimages, the second images each comprising one of a plurality ofcorresponding indicia wherein the audio player comprises a plurality ofbuttons corresponding to the plurality of corresponding indicia on thesecond images, and wherein the information corresponding to each indiciais provided as an audio recording when the respective buttons areactuated.
 6. A puzzle kit according to claim 1, wherein the informationsource comprises a software application for a user device, wherein thesoftware application is programmed to provide information on a displayof the user device based on input corresponding to the indicia found onthe second image.
 7. A puzzle kit according to claim 6, wherein theinput for the user device comprises a signal received through a cameraof the user device.
 8. A puzzle kit according to claim 1, wherein thefirst aesthetic design comprises a geographical map, and wherein thesecond aesthetic design further comprises a landmark corresponding tothe location of at least one revealable region on the first image.
 9. Apuzzle kit according to claim 1, wherein the first aesthetic designcomprises at least one of an object and location at one point in time,and wherein the second aesthetic design comprises a variation of thesame object and location at a different point in time.
 10. A puzzle kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the first aesthetic design comprises ahistorical map, and wherein the at least one revealable regioncorresponds to a location within the map where a historical eventoccurred, wherein the second aesthetic design comprises one of an objectand location representing an indicia corresponding to the historicalevent, and wherein the information source provides information relatingto the historical event based on the indicia.
 11. A puzzle kit accordingto claim 1, wherein the second image comprises a hidden object to befound, and wherein the information source provides clues to find thehidden object based on details found in the first image.
 12. A puzzlekit according to claim 1, wherein the first aesthetic design comprises amonotone image, and wherein the second aesthetic design comprises acoloured version of the first aesthetic design.
 13. A puzzle kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one revealable regioncomprises a scratchable surface, and wherein the second image isrevealed through scratching the revealable region.
 14. A puzzle kitaccording to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of revealableregions, each revealable region configured to reveal one of a pluralityof indicia, wherein the information source comprises instructions on thesequence of modifying the remaining revealable regions based on theindicia revealed.
 15. A puzzle kit comprising: a plurality of puzzlepieces configured for assembly to form a first image, the first imagecomprising a first aesthetic design and at least one revealable region,the at least one revealable region configured to reveal a second imagewhen modified, the second image further comprising a second aestheticdesign; an indicator on top of the at least one revealable region; aninformation source for providing at least one of information andinstruction corresponding to the indicator found on the at least onerevealable region.
 16. A puzzle kit according to claim 15, furthercomprising a plurality of revealable regions, each revealable regionhaving one of a plurality of indicators, wherein the information sourcecomprises instructions on the sequence of modifying the revealableregions based on the indicator found on the revealable region. 17.-22.(canceled)